Judy in Sweeney Reviews

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/20/06 at 9:00pm

One is up on ATC, from halfway thru Act 1. It's either a fake or a message from someone with a PDA in the theater.

From the person who reviewed Full Monty during the intermission:

"She's a very efficient, comforting, but threatening Lovett. Rather like Patricia Routledge. She certainly fills out the costume and that rear padding isn't needed. But that's the strength of her performance. She's a force to be reckoned with. You understand why Sweeney gets talked into the relationship. You don't say no to this Lovett. In fact, I hope she amps up the threat in the second act.

And she sings it better than anyone. The first time I really understood all the lyrics. I'm sure it's interesting for the cast to compare which lines get laughs, for Kaye gets a great percentage of them.

The rest of the cast are all fine. I still don't like the conceit of this production. Reciter's theatre. Just too remote for my tastes. But a worthy replacement for Patti."

And her tuba fell over during Pirelli's Magic Elixir, apparently.

Updated On: 6/20/06 at 09:00 PM

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 6/20/06 at 9:03pm

And her tuba fell over during Pirelli's Magic Elixir, apparently.

How do you know this?

And, did she have to learn how to play the tuba or did she know from before?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/20/06 at 9:04pm

He also posted in a separate post that it fell over. I just didn't copy it.

She learned to play her 3 notes on the tuba for this production.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 6/20/06 at 10:41pm

She was FANTASTIC!

And, yes, she played the tuba!

She brought a real sparkle to the role. And her voice was perfect for the score.

Her husband told me that she's been sick (unable to get out of bed) the past three days, and a few emergency visits to the doctor yesterday saved the day. Tonight, on stage, was the first time she performed with the entire cast! She hadn't been able to do a final block rehearsal with them. VERY impressive!

She captured the threatening side of Mrs. Lovett, but she played it with a sweetness that is reminiscent of Angela Lansbury's take on the role. She had fun with it, and was both tender and tough. It's always been a favorite role for her... I can see why!

The audience gave her a rousing ovation and a loud cheer. The cast applauded her. It was a great night!

Brava!

Updated On: 6/20/06 at 10:41 PM

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 6/20/06 at 11:42pm

That sounds like an amazing performance that Ms. Kaye is putting in, particularly while sick, but still giving it her all! Wish she was in for longer so more people can catch her...

Thanks for the reviews!

[Johnnytoc]

Posted: 6/20/06 at 11:48pm

That's awesome that she's getting some nice reviews.

Btw, Yankeefan, it's Pirelli's Miracle Elixer.

[Marguerite Chauvelin]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 12:26am

That's exciting, I wish Judy luck

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 3:20am

I wish her luck in her run but I hope she doesnt pull a Glenn Close and permantly replace Patti like sunset boulevard.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 10:00am

She was FANTASTIC!!! A somewhat different take on the role but for the first time I understood every word.

I loved Patti, but I think I prefer Judy Kaye in this role.

[Esparzafan]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 12:08pm

I'm so excited to hear the great reviews...I'm going to see the show today and can't wait!

Posted: 6/21/06 at 12:22pm

It was a wonderful night. And yes, the tuba fell and Michael C chuckled a bit. The more I digest her performance, the more I am liking it. And I was row B, so I could hear the cast/crew backstage cheering and applauding backstage after their bows.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 12:53pm

Way to go Ms. Judy Kuhn Kaye!

[scooter38432]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 12:55pm

Elixir.



Judy KUHN Kaye? What's that?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 2:16pm

I just bought my ticket for tomorrow night...very excited!

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 3:51pm

Withoutatrace - Do you have an unlimited amount of money? I'm not trying to be rude at all! But everyday you post that you are seeing another show. It seems you see like 10 shows a week!

But let us know what you think of Judy.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 4:08pm

ljay889 look at Withoutatrace's profile that'll answer your question about his "unlimited" amount of money.

Updated On: 6/21/06 at 04:08 PM

[C is for Company]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 4:12pm

Please post a review WOT, I trust your opinions greatly and would love to hear what you thought about her

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 5:16pm

No, ljay, I do not have an unlimited amount of money. Whenever I see shows, I pay as little as humanly possible. I bought a $36.25 ticket for Sweeney on Thursday night. If I spent $110 on every show I saw, I would be totally broke.

Becoz: What is in my profile that would answer ljay's question?

Company: I will definitely post my thoughts after I get home on Thursday evening! I really appreciate the fact that you trust my opinions.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 5:29pm

They're probalby operating under the assumption that a marketing analyst pays $110 for 10 shows a week.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 5:59pm

Dear Theatreboy49,

"...I hope she doesnt pull a Glenn Close and permantly replace Patti like sunset boulevard..."

That would be up to the producers to offer it to her. And I don't think that they would do so until Patti's contract was up. Assuming that Patti wanted to leave. The producers have to know that Patti is a bigger drawing name to the average theater-goer. An out of towner would go to see Patti in a show before they would go to see Judy, fabulous as she is.

[Esparzafan]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 8:52am

Saw the matinee yesterday and Judy Kaye was incredible! This was the first time I saw Sweeney, so I can't compare her performance to Patti LuPone, but her voice was fantastic and she was completely comfortable in the role. She did wind up with a huge amount of the laughs and the audience gave her and the cast a standing ovation.

I thought Judy was great in Souvenir, but this blew me away.

Wow...what an incredible show!

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 9:35am

I am so glad she is getting these great reviews! I want to see her in august when she is back in! I love her voice!

[sondwisenheimer]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 9:46am

I'm so happy to see this kind of response. She's really an incredible performer. I'll be seeing her in August as well.
Updated On: 6/23/06 at 09:46 AM

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 12:32pm

I aggre with everything Addy said.

I absolutely fell in love with Judy. She is such a magnificant performer. I had never seen her perform on stage before (other than one quick song at Wall to Wall Sondheim), and I was most impressed by how intuitive her choices were.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 12:34pm

I saw the matinee yesterday and she was great. The audience was also very receptive of her and the cast as a whole.